The Teardrop Butterflyfish can be recognised by its colouration. The species occurs in shallow tropical marine waters of the Western Pacific.

Standard Common Name

Teardrop Butterflyfish

Alternative Name/s

Pacific Teardrop Butterflyfish

Identification

The Teardrop Butterflyfish can be recognised by its colouration. The dorsal, anal and ventral fins are yellow. The lower sides are white. There is a black spot on the upper side and a black bar passing though the eye. A black line crosses the caudal peduncle and the adjacent dorsal and anal fins.

Size range

The species grows to 20 cm in length.

Distribution

The Teardrop Butterflyfish occurs in the Western Pacific. In Australia it is known form the north-western coast of Western Australia, around the tropical north (except for parts of the Arafura Sea and the Gulf of Carpentaria) and south to the central coast of new South Wales.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.